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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

Matthew Paras was a digital sports writer for the Washington Times.

Articles by Matthew Paras

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) ** FILE **

Max Scherzer on facing Bryce Harper: ‘This is just Round 1’

Max Scherzer will take the mound Tuesday when Bryce Harper returns to Nationals Park for the first time with the Philadelphia Phillies, but the Nationals insist Scherzer's start has nothing to do with their former slugger.

March 31, 2019

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during the third inning of an opening day baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom duel lives up to hype on opening day

Once action finally began, it didn't disappoint. A high-quality pitching duel was on display Thursday as the Nationals fell 2-0 to the New York Mets. In a battle of the last two Cy Young winners, New York's Jacob deGrom went toe-to-toe with Scherzer -- with each puzzling batters.

March 28, 2019

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Nationals fall to Jacob deGrom, Mets on opening day

A well-hyped pitcher's duel lived up to expectations at National Park.

March 28, 2019

The Nationals are confident they can contend this season with a foundation of stars and high-quality players on the roster including ace Max Scherzer. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) **FILE**

Washington Nationals face Opening Day without Bryce Harper in season of change

When the Washington Nationals return for their season opener Thursday, they'll be back with changes -- some small, some big -- will be hard to miss, too.

March 27, 2019

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) in action against the Houston Texans in an NFL game, Sunday, November 18, 2018 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.) ** FILE **

Redskins want Josh Norman’s play to rise to ‘superstar status’

Coach Jay Gruden said he's expecting Norman -- the highest-paid cornerback in the league after signing a five-year, $75 million contract in 2016 -- to raise his play to superstar status.'

March 27, 2019

Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks for a receiver as he's pressured by Birmingham Iron defensive lineman Jake Payne (99) during a Birmingham Iron at Memphis Express AAF football game, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. against the Memphis won in overtime 31-25. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Alliance of American Football in danger of folding without NFLPA help: Report

The majority owner of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) said the league could be in danger of folding if the NFL Players' Association is unwilling to let its younger players participate in the league, USA Today reported.

March 27, 2019

The Los Angeles Lakers bench reacts after Lance Stephenson pulled an ankle breaker on Washington Wizards' Jeff Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 26, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Lance Stephenson sends Jeff Green stumbling as Lakers bench erupts

Let the record show that Jeff Green's foot was stepped on.

March 27, 2019

In this Dec. 2, 2018, photo, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III (3) runs out of the pocket as Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) **FILE**

Robert Griffin III facing lawsuit from former agent

Robert Griffin III is facing a lawsuit from his former agent, who claims the former Redskins quarterback owes him nearly $$659,000 in fees from marketing and endorsement deals.

March 27, 2019

Michael Irvin, right, NFL Hall of Fame member and Pro Bowl Alumni captain, and Cris Carter, left, NFL Hall of Fame member and Pro Bowl Alumni captain, laugh as they playfully try to pull the Pro Bowl trophy away from one another during the Pro Bowl Kickoff news conference Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, in Phoenix. The upcoming NFL Pro Bowl football game will be played on Sunday. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Michael Irvin thinks he might have throat cancer

Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin revealed on Instagram Tuesday that he's waiting for test results to see if he has throat cancer.

March 27, 2019

Arizona Cardinals new NFL football head coach Kliff Kingsbury, right, and team owner Michael Bidwell, address the media, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Kliff Kingsbury to allow Cardinals to take ‘cellphone breaks’

Kliff Kingsbury was born just a few years too early to be considered a millennial. But the Arizona Cardinals coach thinks he knows the way to connect to his younger players: cellphone breaks.

March 27, 2019

Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden speaks to the media during the NFC/AFC coaches breakfast during the annual NFL football owners meetings, Tuesday, March 26, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Jay Gruden pushes back against idea he’s ‘super frustrated’

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Phoenix, Arizona, Gruden pushed back against a recent report that claimed the coach was 'super frustrated' he wasn't being kept in the loop on free agency.

March 26, 2019

Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (12) in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Colt McCoy had leg surgery again: reports

Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy underwent another leg procedure this spring, but is expected to be fine for OTAs, according to multiple reports.

March 25, 2019

Duke forward Zion Williamson (1) dribbles the ball against Central Florida during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Sunday, March 24, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

ACC foes Duke, Virginia Tech D.C.-bound

The biggest attraction in college basketball is officially coming to Capital One Arena.

March 24, 2019

Washington Wizards forward Bobby Portis (5) shoots against Denver Nuggets forward Mason Plumlee (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Washington. The Nuggets won 113-108. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Wizards turn to evaluation mode with playoff hopes all but dead

With their playoff hopes all but dead -- they're now 6 1/2 games back with eight to play after a 113-108 loss Saturday to the Miami Heat -- the Wizards are trying to evaluate potential pairings before the season is over.

March 24, 2019

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade signs for fans after an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Washington. The Heat won 113-108. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Dwyane Wade leaves Wizards wondering why he’s even retiring

For one last time, Dwyane Wade was the center of attention in the District -- and he delivered. The 37-year-old scored 20 points, 11 of which came in the fourth.

March 24, 2019

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (13) grabs a rebound next to Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Troy Brown shines in first career start, but Wizards fall to Nuggets

Troy Brown found out secondhand he was starting his first NBA career game. Coach Scott Brooks broke the news Thursday that the 19-year-old rookie would be starting in place of an injured Trevor Ariza -- before getting a chance to tell Brown himself.

March 21, 2019

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, in Santa Clara, Calif. Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid have reached settlements on their collusion lawsuits against the NFL, the league said Friday, Feb. 19, 2019.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) ** FILE **

Colin Kaepernick NFL settlement less than $10 million: report

Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid received a payment of less than $10 million when the two settled their collusion grievances with the NFL last month, according to a new Wall Street Journal report.

March 21, 2019

File-This Nov. 17, 2018, file photo shows West Virginia quarterback Will Grier throwing a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla. NFL scouts, coaches and prospects have gathered in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl. The game for top senior NFL prospects and junior graduates will feature quarterbacks like Missouri’s Drew Lock, Grier and Duke’s Daniel Jones.(AP Photo/Brody Schmidt, File) **FILE**

Will Grier, West Virginia quarterback, meets with Redskins over sushi: report

After Will Grier met with the Panthers coaches over steak and salad, the 23-year-old met with Redskins coach Jay Gruden and had sushi, per The NFL Network.

March 21, 2019

In this Jan. 20, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft walks on the field before the AFC Championship NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo. Florida prosecutors have offered a plea deal to Kraft and other men charged with paying for illicit sex at a massage parlor. The Palm Beach State Attorney confirmed Tuesday, March 19, 2019, it has offered Kraft and 24 other men charged with soliciting prostitution the standard diversion program offered to first-time offenders. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) **FILE**

Robert Kraft seeks to suppress evidence in prostitution case

Lawyers for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft filed a motion to suppress the video evidence in his prostitution case from becoming public, according to ESPN.

March 21, 2019

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins passes during NFL Pro Day at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Redskins line up visit with Dwayne Haskins

The Washington Redskins will host Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins in the near future for a pre-draft visit, according to ESPN.

March 20, 2019